Device for transefrring data and/or energy to restraining means in a vehicle

ABSTRACT

A device is proposed for transmitting data or energy to a system of restraint in a vehicle, which is used for connecting movable vehicle parts by a transformer. According to the present invention, a reed contact is provided on the secondary side of the transformer which short-circuits the winding or the coil when the movable part is removed. This prevents an induction voltage from leading to an undesired triggering of the means of restraint.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for transmitting data and/or energy to a restraint system according to the species defined in the independent claim.

[0002] It is known that one can install transformers for transmitting data and energy to means of restraint in movable parts such as a seat or a steering wheel. Such transformers are used particularly for restraint systems. In this context, the seat in question may be removed or replaced again. The transmission of data and energy has to function again after the replacement. By the use of transformers, and thereby of near-field transmission, one avoids that wear or unreliability of plugs negatively influences the restraint system. The secondary side of the transformer in question is positioned, in this instance, in the seat or steering wheel, while the primary side is connected directly to the chassis.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] By contrast, according to the present invention, the device for data and/or energy transmission to a restraint system in a vehicle having the features of the independent claim, has the advantage that an induction voltage, which is naturally created because of the law of induction when a movable vehicle part is removed, is short-circuited at the secondary side and thus cannot lead to a false release of the means of restraint. A reed contact is advantageously used for this, which is situated on the secondary side, while the primary side has a corresponding magnet, so that, when the magnet is removed, the reed contact is closed. This then leads to a short-circuit of the winding of the secondary side. Thereby, the induced voltage at the secondary side is also short-circuited. In the final analysis, this improves the security of the vehicle.

[0004] On account of the measures and further developments mentioned in the dependent claims, advantageous improvements of the device recited in the independent claim for data and/or energy transfer to a restraint system in a vehicle is made possible.

[0005] It is especially advantageous that the first vehicle part is designed as the chassis and the second vehicle part as a seat, the seat, then, being removable. In this context, the means of restraint, as well as the means for diagnosis and activation of the means of restraint, are on the secondary side.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawing and are explained in the following specification in greater detail. The Figures show:

[0007]FIG. 1 a block diagram of the device according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Since air bags, particularly for side collisions, are also installed in seats, data transmission to the electronics system of the means of restraint in the seat are of decisive importance. When it comes to accomplishing this in terms of better handling, less soiling and greater robustness, using transformers, the problem arises of an induction voltage which appears when the seat is removed and also when it is replaced. This problem is increased especially in the case of vehicles like the so-called sports utility vehicles (SUV's), where it is to be expected that the user will frequently remove one or more seats.

[0009] Therefore, according to the present invention, a reed contact is provided which closes when the seat is removed and thus short-circuits the winding of the secondary side of the transformer which is in that seat. Thereby induction voltages, created at the secondary side and which could possibly trigger the means of restraint, are also short-circuited.

[0010]FIG. 1 shows in a block diagram the device according to the present invention. A transformer 2 has a primary side 3 and a secondary side 4. Primary side 3 is accommodated in the chassis while secondary side 4 is situated in the seat. Primary side 3 and secondary side 4 each have coils 1. Coils 1 are respectively connected to drivers 7 and 8. On primary side 3 there is also a magnet 6, which is installed exactly opposite a reed contact 5, reed contact 5 being situated on the secondary side of transformer 2.

[0011] In the installed state, reed contact 5 is open because of magnet 6. Thereby data, which are transmitted by the magnetic coupling, via near-field transmission, from primary side 3 to secondary side 4 are taken up by driver 7. In addition to data, energy may also be transmitted here, because the means of restraint, such as air bags and belt tensioners in the seats, having the control electronics, have to be supplied with electrical energy. Furthermore, on the secondary side, an energy reserve for the means of restraint is present, so that even when the energy supply is chopped, the means of restraint may be triggered. At driver 8, on the one hand an energy supply 10, and on the other hand a control unit 9 are connected via data input/outputs. Control unit 9 is connected to a sensor 11 via its second data input/output which indicates an impact. As an example here, only one sensor is shown, which here is an acceleration sensor, but additional sensors may be positioned here too, in particular even in control unit 9 itself. The connections to these sensors may be made using a bus.

[0012] Control unit 9 computes the triggering algorithm and evaluates data coming from the means of restraint, that is, above all diagnosis data, and, in the case of an impact which calls for triggering the means of restraint, it will transmit an appropriate instruction via transformer 2. Thereby a firing instruction is thus transmitted.

[0013] A trigger circuit control 13 is connected to driver 7 via a first data input/output, and a processor 12 is connected to driver 7 via a second data input/output. Processor 12 performs diagnoses on the assemblies situated on the secondary side. Trigger circuit control 13 activates means of restraint 15, which are connected to trigger circuit control 13 via a third data input/output. An energy reserve 14 is also connected to trigger circuit control 13 via a data input/output. Energy reserve 14 may be, for instance, a capacitor, which is still supposed to deliver energy in the case of an interruption of the connection between the primary side and the secondary side, in order to control means of restraint 15 appropriately. Means of restraint 15 here is an air bag, but a belt tensioner would also be possible. Trigger circuit control 14 also executes diagnoses, such as whether firing pellet resistances, by which means of restraint 15 are fired, still have the correct resistances and thereby make possible proper functioning. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for data and/or energy transmission to means of restraint in a vehicle, the device having a transformer (2) which has its primary side (3) in a first vehicle part and its secondary side (4) in a second vehicle part; the first and/or secondary vehicle part being removable, wherein the secondary side (4) has a reed contact (5) and the primary side has a magnet (6), the reed contact closing so as to short-circuit the winding of the secondary side (4) when the first vehicle part is removed.
 2. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the first vehicle part is designed as the chassis and the second vehicle part is designed as a seat.
 3. The device as recited in claim 1 or 2, wherein the means of restraint (15), means (13, 12) for diagnosis and for controlling the means of restraint (15), are situated on the secondary side. 